Apart from representing Nigeria in today’s Confederation of African Football (CAF) election, the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick is also seeking a seat on the executive committee of CAF.
He is vying against the incumbent and long standing member Anjorin Moucharafou who is also the head of Benin Republic Football Federation.
“Like I initially opine, our focus is qualifying for the World Cup, and if eventually I get elected into CAF, then it will only be a bonus for Nigerian Football,” Pinnick is quoted as saying.
However, Pinnick has come under heavy criticism by those who think he is a football lightweight. Moucharafou’s called Pinnick a ‘small boy’ but the NFF President seems to have learnt his rope and he is ready to shock his more experienced opponent.
Pinnink became the NFF boss in 2015 after the election held in Warri. During FIFA sojourn in Nigeria, Pinnick worked in the Technical Study Group (TSG) under Walter Gagg, with the Event Manager, Michael Bakini. As a result he ended up being one of the direct aides to the FIFA President, Mr. Joseph Sepp Blatter.
As a sport administrator in Delta State, he rose through the ranks becoming the Chairman of the DSFA, where he secured his second term in 2012, unopposed during the elections. He was the Vice Chairman of the DSFA in 2003 and has always remained prominent in the Delta football fraternity before becoming the NFF President.
Under Pinnick, during the 2012 National Sports Festival hosted by Lagos State, the state were named overall champions of the competition with 114 gold, 99 silver and 75 bronze medals. The state displaced Rivers to second spot with 76 gold, 71 silver and 70 bronze medals while third and fourth placed Lagos and Edo States could only boast of 64 and 25 gold medals in that order.
If he wins the election, he will be third Nigerian to seat on the CAF Board after late Oyo Orok Oyo and Dr Amos Adamu.